I was driving around today, got about 2 miles and happened to notice that the oil pressure gauge was reading zero. No noises or any other obvious signs. Made it about another mile and when I went to pass someone, I noticed there was a lack of power then the oil pressure gauge fluctuated a tiny bit and the engine shut down and wouldn't start back up even after about 45 minutes.

I only bought the car a few weeks ago and the person I bought it from had it in the shop shortly before (not 100% sure of the reason). The mechanic did say that the water pump was leaking and would need to be replaced.

Not sure if the water pump would cause the motor to shut off but I have noticed some fairly big wet spots on the pavement. The temperature gauge was in the normal range. The service engine light has already been on for a code 32 (EGR) so not sure if it threw another code. Thinking it is more of an oil pump, sending unit, or switch problem but I could be wrong.

It's an '88 Firebird 305 TPI

 

Is there any oil in the engine ?

Water pump leak wont shut the engine down, but lack of oil will, and its not good. Potentially fatal. CB head gasket, but you'd have smoke.

Is there evidence of massive oil leak, heavy smoke ?

Best case scenario is the sending unit is bad, but shouldn't shut down engine.

 

Wouldn't start as in turns over but no fire? or won't even turn over. No oil preasure then lack of power, then shut down sounds like a seize to me.

 

There should be oil, it was changed at the shop but I will double check in the morning. I haven't noticed any evidence of an oil leak and didn't notice any heavy smoke. The only smoke I saw was on the lower part of the muffler as it was wet. Almost looked like the whole underbody was wet.

 

It would try to turn over, I could hear it wanting to kick but it just wouldn't fire up. Is there some kind of safety feature that would shut down the engine in a certain scenario?

 

The oil pressure sender actually can trigger a shutdown feature if it reads no oil pressure.
I don't know the specifics but its in my wiring diagram.
It says fuel pump/oil pressure switch.

Its the first I've heard of it possibly working because my oil pressure gage is messed up and bounces from 0 to 30 a lot of times.

If everything else looks good, change the sender.

 

I have read that as well but have seen quite a debate on the issue, most of it was from different vehicles and nothing in regards to my style or Pontiac. I'm hoping it's something as simple as that. I haven't had a chance to tear into it yet. Will hopefully be able to troubleshoot this week.

 

Dam you might have lost all your oil. I have had my oil changed at oil can hennery a few times and stopped going back because I would loos about a quart a month when they would do oil changes. I do them and I don't loos any. I am thinking they are not putting my filter on tight enough. They might have screwed you or your rear seal went out and you lost it but either way check your water and oil levels and see which one your loosing. The fluctuating pressure could be from you loosing too much and it will pump what is dose have up to the top of the motor and then have to wait for it to come back down.

 

"The only smoke I saw was on the lower part of the muffler as it was wet. Almost looked like the whole underbody was wet. "

Sounds like a loose oil filter as said .... at ain't good. Got to check the oil levels.

 

Yeah with the undercarriage being that wet, it sounds like you lost a lot of, or all of your oil due to a bad filter, rear main seal, oil cooler hose, small hole in oil pan... Something

 

So I went back and re read this thread and can't find out if you have checked the oil level yet.